The Highway to Higher Ed

Looking at Therapeutic Schools as an Option with Therapeutic Educational Consultant Jennifer Benson

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex talks to Jennifer Benson, a Therapeutic Educational Consultant at the School Solution, a consultation and placement service for families with a child who is struggling in his or her current environment despite therapeutic and academic supports. Jennifer and Alex discuss Jennifer’s background, what got her into education consulting, what the School Solution is, the types of students they work with, their signature service, their philosophy, option...

Standardized Testing for Secondary Schools and the Importance of the Tests on the Application Process with Lemon Tree Learning CEO Molly Levine

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex talks to Molly Levine, the co-founder and CEO of Lemon Tree Learning and brings a wealth of experience, with a career spanning over 15 years, dedicated to supporting families and students in the domains of test preparation, general academic assistance, and executive functioning support. In this episode Molly and Alex talks about Molly’s background, her partnership with her husband, the services Lemon Tree offer, standardized testing for secondar...

Post-Pandemic Trends with Estrela Consulting Founder Kristina Dooley

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex talks to Kristina Dooley, the founder of Estrela Consulting. Previously she’s served as the Assistant Director of Admission at Hiram College (OH) and as the Director of Admissions and Marketing at Andrews Osborne Academy (OH). In addition to her work with students, Kristina has served as President of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and President of State of Mind: Hudson, a non-profit mental health organization. Within t...

Parting Advice for Young Adults and their Parents with Chad Dorman of Leonard Andrew Consulting

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex talks to Chad Dorman the founder of Leonard Andrew Consulting. A graduate of The Gunnery (Washington, CT) and the University of Vermont, Chad spent the early years of his career teaching English, Creative Writing, and Public Speaking before venturing out into the world of business. After a time, Chad realized that he desired a return to the world of education, but that he could take the skills he gained in the corporate setting and meld them wit...

Passionately Helping Find the Right College Fit with Rebekah Elmore of Peak Consulting

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Rebekah Elmore of Peak Consulting. She received her BS in Education from Wheelock College (now part of Boston University) in Boston MA, not far from her hometown of Exeter, New Hampshire. She went on to be a middle school teacher where she taught in Westfield, New Jersey. She raised her four children, two girls and two boys and moved into the business world for seven years, using leadership and managerial skills to run a multi-million do...

Anxiety and the College Process with Dr. Dan Villiers

In the last episode, we focused on small liberal arts schools in the midwest. We now turn to a different, perhaps much broader segment of the student population: those students in suffering from anxiety and related disorders. We’ll be focusing particularly on navigating the many challenges presented to those non-traditional path students, as it can be fairly complex for parents. I’ll be joined by Dr. Dan Villiers of The Anxiety Institute in his second appearance on the podcast… Dr. Dan Vil...

Going to Great Colleges by Focusing on Self-Discovery with Keith Wilkerson

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Keith Wilkerson the founder and owner of College Thoughts, an organization that helps good students go to great colleges by focusing on self-discovery and not stress. With more than two decades of experience helping students attend great middle schools, high schools, and college, Keith is now focused on helping strong students to move on to the best colleges in the nation. Alex and Keith talk about; Keith background and what got him into...

College Admissions Insights with Johnathan Dunn

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Johnathan Dunn, a college counsellor for over thirty years, thirteen of which have been at Fairmount Preparatory Academy and Fairmount International School in Southern California. As one of only approximately 350 Certified Educational Planners or CEPs in the world, he is especially well qualified to work with students and their families. within this episode Johnathan talks about his background, how that’s impacted his approach to college...

Helping Families Find the Higher Educational Fit with Niki Kelman

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Ken talks to Niki Kelman the founder and director of New England education consultants. She’s serves as director of admissions and has been instrumental in serving four different Universities in the North East. Niki holds an MS in Higher Education Administration, a proud member of the independent educational consultants association and has been a director of admission in a private high school. In this episode Ken and Niki discuss how Niki got into ed...

Launch Operation and Trends with Sawyer Earwood

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Sawyer Earwood, an education professional who has worked in both college admission offices and small startups. His admissions experience has taken him across the U.S.A. and Asia. Sawyer is currently a member of College Consultants of Colorado, a Professional Member of IECA, and a Certified Educational Consultant (CEP). Within IECA, Sawyer serves on both the DEI and Global. Within this episodes Alex and Sawyer discuss Sawyers background,...

The Challenges and Value of Internships with Robert Khoury

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Robert Khoury CEO of Agile Rainmakers, a high-impact business development consulting and advisory firm based in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and co-author of the book How to Intern. Alex and Robert discuss numerous subjects, centered around internships, including; what drew Robert to offer internships, the best parts and challenges, recruiting interns, what interns can do to make the most of their internships, some ways to transition into the ...

Getting Competitive With College Applications With Yvonne Espinoza CEP

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Yvonne Espinoza CEP, an Austin-based college counsellor who works with students in Austin and across the country, assisting each of her clients to be as competitive as possible to be accepted to college. Within this episode Yvonne talks about her background and how she got into college consulting, her relationship with students, her favorite part of college consulting, the preparation process for 9th and 10th-graders, the challenges fac...

Executive Function Coaching and Tutoring With Ken Hincker

In this episode of Highway to Higher ED, Alex talks to Ken Hincker, a teacher, coach, dorm parent and advisor in high school education for over twenty years. Ken taught at three institutions in the south, including Savannah Country Day School, before migrating to The Taft School in 2011, serving as its English Chair for five years and acting as soccer coach, dorm head, and advisor. He has since transitioned to executive function coaching and tutoring in the Fairfield area, serving as the Exe...

Supporting Teens and Young Adults Struggling with Mental Health Issues and/or Substances with Casie Fariello

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex talks to Casie Fariello, co-founder of Other Parents Like Me (OPLM). OPLM is a virtual membership platform led by parents for parents of teens and young adults struggling with mental health issues and/or substances. They have daily support groups, live weekly speaker talks and monthly experts panels, as well as thousand of resources, providing a safe and anonymous space for parents and caregivers. Casie talks about her background and how she...

Navigating the Complex World of First Year and Transfer College Admissions with Guest Deborah Shames

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Deborah Shames of Personal Best College Coaching, which she founded in 2003. She now heads a team of six counsellors who work to help families navigate the complex world of first year and transfer college admissions. Within this episode Deborah and Alex talk about Deborah’s background, her companies philosophy, when she starts working with student, the college application process for both first time and transferring students, s...

Finding the Pathway to Achieving Student Passions with Guest Adrienne Frumberg

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex talks to Adrienne Frumberg, the founder of Lighthouse Guidance, who specializes in helping to identify a students passions and guiding them on a path to achieving them, whether it is getting accepted to the college of their dreams or preparing for a rewarding career. Adrienne talks about her background, dealing with the challenges of some of her clients, the uniqueness of Lighthouse Guidance, her work at the Dorm and Academics West, as well...

Student Entrepreneurs W/Spike Lab's Lloyd Nimetz

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Lloyd Nimetz, founder of Spike Lab. Spike Lab is a program that coaches high school students through the process of identifying, launching and growing an entrepreneurial venture. Within this episode Lloyd talks about his background, Spike Labs mission and its unique approach, why he think entrepreneurial development is important, a success story of one of his students, how the pandemic has impacted student innovation, trends he has s...

Applying to Top 25 Colleges and The Processes Needed W/ Laurie Kopp Weingarten

In this episode of Highway to higher Ed, Alex talks to Laurie Kopp Weingarten of One Stop College Counselling, who specialize in applications to the top 25 schools, which she has done for over a decade. Laurie Kopp talks about how she got into college consulting, what makes her consultancy unique, the process her students go through, the ideal time to begin planning applications. She also discusses the impact of test blind and test optional trends, how high schools should approach course s...

Applying to Top 25 Colleges and The Processes Needed W/ Laurie Weingarten

In this episode of Highway to higher Ed, Alex talks to Laurie Weingarten of One Stop College Counselling, who specialize in applications to the top 25 schools, which she has done for over a decade. Laurie talks about how she got into college consulting, what makes her consultancy unique, the process her students go through, the ideal time to begin planning applications. She also discusses the impact of test blind and test optional trends, how high schools should approach course selection, ...

The Hustle and Grit Needed When Choosing the Collegiate 'Best Fit'

 In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Janae McCullough-Boyd, founder and CEO of More Than Athletics, LLC. Janae quickly realized during her oldest son’s recruiting process, that for him to be able to choose the college that was the best fit for him, they had to be proactive in the academic and recruiting process. Basically, looking for the best fit school, takes hustle and grit, which consists of time, effort, education on the process, and a lot of patience for the stud...

The Future of Musical Theatre Higher Education and How to Prepare with Guest Drew Boudreau

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Drew Boudreau, owner of College Audition Pros. As an actor, Drew's credits include regional theatre across the country, OffBroadway, national tours, cruise ships & more. As a teacher, Drew loves helping students & their families boost their confidence in their college auditions, giving them the keys to elevate their performances & maximize their admissions. Alex and Drew discuss the musical theatre application process, give advice fo...

A Look at Higher Education Application Process with Regards to Non-Traditional and Homeschooled Students with Guest Michele Evard

In this episode of Highway to higher Ed, Alex talks to Michele Evard of Evard Consulting. Michele is a veteran in the field not only of college applications for non-traditional students but also of homeschooling, having home schooled her own three children. Michele talks about the uniqueness of her practice, the different education profiles she experiences in her practice, how the pandemic has impacted her clientele, the differences of the process for alternatively educated students, the sup...

Securing Grants and Scholarships with Guest Trevor Ramos from College Funding Remedies

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Trevor Ramos of College Funding Remedies, an expert at locating and securing large grants and scholarships for college admission as the cost of higher education creeps steadily upwards. In 12 years of service, Trevor has helped over 400 families get accepted to the top colleges in America for pennies on the dollar by helping students get free money grants and scholarships (over 12 million dollars)! 

Michael Corbelle and Alex Ince Shed Light On Boarding School Admissions in Today's Pandemic Landscape

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Alex Ince and Mike Corbelle of Cairn Educational Consulting to discuss the state of Boarding school applications in today’s pandemic landscape. Their philosophy centers around a demystification of elite admission on the track to competitive college admission. With a wealth of experience from both sides of the spectrum, they provide some insider secrets on the best way for parents to assist their young students in navigating the proce...

College Admissions W/Renown Consultant Michelle McAnaney

In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Michelle McAnaney the founder of the College Spy, a college admissions consultancy. With a history as a counsellor in schools and a background in psychology, Michelle decided to set up her own consultancy business, so she could concentrate fully on the needs of students going through the college admissions process. Michelle discusses her background, how changes in standardized testing has changed the college admissions process and ...

Collegiately Fit w/ College Success Coach Dale Troy

Episode Description: In this episode of Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by College Success Coach Dale Troy, who works with college students to reduce their level of stress and improve their college experiences. Dale, with an undergraduate degree and law degree from Yale University and extensive experience in wellness coaching, offers a wealth of knowledge on college student fitness. Alex and Dale discuss the secrets to college success coaching, the impacts the pandemic has had on stude...

IEP, 504, & 2E; Oh my!

In this episode, Alex is joined by Meg Flanagan of Meg Flanagan Educations Solutions.  Meg is an expert on special needs high school students, such as those with processing disorders, ADHD or Anxiety. In the episode, Meg outlines the distinctions between 504s and IEPs and discusses the best strategies for parents with students of alternative learning profiles.  Her resources for navigating this process mentioned in the episode are listed below. 

Transitioning to College with Learning Differences, ADHD, & Anxiety

In this episode, Alex is joined by Josephine Vonarburg, the owner and founder of Transitions College Advising, an organization committed to providing support to those with ADHD, Anxiety & LD successfully making the transition into higher education.  Josephine explains the college process for a student with special needs and provides some secrets for successfully navigating the change in regards to 504s & IEPs, a critical value to those who are unfamiliar with higher education’s distinct sys...

International Application versus Domestic

In this episode, Becky Grappo of ING consulting joins Alex to discuss the nuances of international versus domestic application in the pandemic era.  With over 30 years of experience, living in Europe, Central America, the Middle East and United States, Becky brings a wealth of cultural fluency to the discussion.  As a highly regarded member of the IECA and noted author and presenter, Becky’s knowledge on the process from different angles is revelatory of some underlying assumptions about col...

International Perspectives

In this episode Alex is joined by Ertugrul Gerdan of Student Hub.  Ertugrul has been an educational consultant for ten years in his native Turkey after completing his graduate studies at Harvard and Drexel, where he developed the 4C4life model, focusing on the college process of one leg of four definable eras in a student’s life.   Alex and Ertugrul discuss the challenges of college admission from an international lens, and discuss its role as merely one leg along a greater path to career su...

The Transition to College

In this episode Alex is joined by Dana Ponsky of Dana Ponsky Consulting.  Dana has an extensive background in college transition, after heading orientation and transition programs at several major colleges.  She gradually shifted to college consulting, which she has done for 20 years, after recognizing the intimate link between the search and the transition.  Alex and Dana discuss the challenges of transitioning higher education and how to best address those challenges in the college admissi...

Keys to Developing a Great College List

In this episode, the premiere episode of The Highway to Higher Ed, Alex is joined by Rana Slosberg of Slosberg College Solutions.  Rana has been in College Consulting for ten years, inspired by the college search of her own daughter who ended up at MIT.  In her ten years, she has visited hundreds of colleges and universities around the United States.  Alex and Rana discuss the keys to developing a perfect set of colleges for a list for applicants, considering the impact of the pandemic on th...

Managing Anxiety Through Tactical Learning Solutions

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex is joined by Becky Rabassa, Executive Director of Links Academy, an adaptable, interactive and supportive school for students in Grades 6-12. She is also a licensed clinical social worker with over thirty years of experience in social service organizations and independent schools. Alex and Becky discuss tactical learning solutions for managing anxiety and other learning challenges, the importance of integrating social emotional learning into educat...

Integrating Social Emotional Learning into Education

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex is joined by Maggie Gregory, Head of School at Fusion Academy. Fusion is  a unique private school that focuses on personalized learning plans and motivating their students by creating emotionally safe learning environments. Alex and Maggie discuss the importance and process of building customized learning plans for students, the benefits of social emotional learning, and how we ensure SEL continues to be prioritized as we educate through a pandemic...

Mindfulness, Meditation & Mental Health: Helping our Children Thrive

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex speaks to Amy Syed. Amy is a parent, a public speaker, a life coach and founder of the Quantum Genius program, a 12 week journey she developed to help any human reach their full potential and unleash the genius within. She has a long history working in both the physical and mental healthcare fields and is a champion for the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. On today’s episode, Alex and Amy explore techniques and methodologies of meditation. T...

Entrepreneurship - The Key To Education?

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex speaks to Maria Locker. Starting her career as an elementary school teacher, Maria is no stranger to the educational system. However, as both a teacher and a mom, she began to notice an opportunity for moms everywhere to take ownership of their careers and started Mompreneurs, now called RevolutionHer, a community of women focused on entrepreneurial education, community, inspiration, and empowerment. Today, Maria has brought together over 23,000 f...

Transforming Education Through Immersive Technology

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex speaks to Micah Shippe. As a middle school teacher, technology trainer, author and professor, Micah is on the cutting edge of education technology and has spent his career studying methods of implementing innovative solutions into education environments. Currently, he is the founder and CEO of Ready Learner One, a transformative company leveraging emerging technologies like AR and VR to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of training offerin...

Overcoming Anxiety Cycles at Home

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex speaks to Dina Cooper. Dina is the author of “Smart Parenting – How to Develop Your Child’s Mindset, Resilience and Courage for the Future of Work,” and the founder of “Parent as Leader” sessions that focus on cultivating leadership within parents to better distill strong values in their kids. On this episode, Alex and Dina unpack her story, her parenting philosophy and explore how parents and caregivers can overcome cycles of anxiety at home thro...

Shaping the Future through Ed Tech

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex speaks to Christina Perdikoulias, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Digital Ed, a platform dedicated to shaping the world through digital learning-- specifically for STEM subjects. As the world has shifted heavily to online learning, it’s important that we get it right, for all kinds of students, with all kinds of learning styles and challenges. In large part, this is about customizing the experience and putting the student at the cente...

Speaking to the Students

On the final episode in the premiere season of Graduating Anxiety, Alex does something a little different. After spending season one talking to doctors, educators, psychologists and other professionals, he turns the tables and takes the time to speak to those at the heart of the conversation-- the students. Vera and Jeremy are two students Alex has worked with in the past and they each bring a unique story of anxiety, education, emotion and healing. On today’s episode, they each tell their ...

The Future of Education: Is Tech Enhancing or Erasing Anxiety?

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex interviews Nina Angelo, VP of Product Marketing at Top Hat. Top Hat produces education software products to help keep students and educators engaged, motivated and moving forward, even in blended or remote learning environments. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, technology became much more prevalent in every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate and socialize to how we educate and are educated. But the role of technology is multifaceted, and ...

Processing, Progressing and Prospering

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex interviews Ellen Braaten, Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a renowned child psychologist, who authored the book “Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up”. They discuss the implications of slow processing speed in learners, the relationship between processing speed and learning anxiety, the benefits of psychological testing and more.   Key Takeaways:    Even with psychological or learning issu...

Nature, Nurture and Beyond: Psychological Factors Contributing to Anxiety in Education

On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex interviews Dr. Ariel Kornblum of Manhattan Psychology Group, a New York State Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Behavior Analyst who not only treats children suffering from anxiety and depression, but also provides parent management training (PMT), school/teacher consultations and executive function coaching. Together, they break down the environmental and psychological factors contributing to anxiety. They discuss potential treatment methods and...

Finding A Place For Every Learner

“Back to school” in a post COVID-19 world

In our premiere episode of Graduating Anxiety, host Alex Merrill sits down with Dan Villers, Founder of the Anxiety Institute, to discuss going back to school after the outbreak, lockdown, and continuous panic around the COVID-19 pandemic. The two discuss the pandemic’s effect on children’s anxiety, the need for kids to have regular social interaction at school, and how parents can adapt to today’s online learning environments.   Key Takeaways:  Just because your child is suffering from a...